Is This a Scene from Star Wars or a Real Image from the ISS?

byNancy AtkinsononJune 22, 2011

ATV2 (Johannes Kepler) as it departs the ISS against the backdrop of Earth. Credit: NASA/Ron Garan

What an amazing image! The ATV-2 Johannes Kepler looks like an X-Wing fighter from Star Wars as it departed from the International Space Station. Astronaut Ron Garan posted the image on his Twitpic page, asking viewers if they thought the spacecraft looked like the fictional fighter jets of the Alliance.

The ATV-2 left the ISS and entered Earth’s atmosphere on June 21. The spacecraft had a “blackbox” on board, a Re-Entry Breakup Recorder (REBR) to monitor temperature, acceleration, rotation rate, and other data as it tumbled and disintegrated through the atmosphere. The data was sent down via a “phone call” to an Iridium satellite to help scientists better understand the physics of what happens to a spacecraft when it breaks up on re-entry.

So, enjoy one last beautiful look at the ATV-2 in this stunning image.

You can follow Universe Today senior editor Nancy Atkinson on Twitter: @Nancy_A. Follow Universe Today for the latest space and astronomy news on Twitter @universetoday and on Facebook.

Nancy Atkinson is currently Universe Today's Contributing Editor. Previously she served as UT's Senior Editor and lead writer, and has worked with Astronomy Cast and 365 Days of Astronomy. Nancy is also a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador.

Woah! Was that real German? After taking the time to read your comment I actually understood your sentence! I KNEW I should’ve taken German in High School, it’s so easy for English speakers to understand. Stupid counselor told me Spanish would be better….

Yes, it was real German; yes, it’s easy for English speakers to learn German, and vice-versa. In both English and German languages, double negatives cancel one another out; whereas in Spanish (and also in French and Portuguese), double negatives intensify the negation, so it can lead to some confusion and misunderstandings between English and Spanish speakers.

Yes, I know what “bitte” means, and also its alternative interjections; Google translator does gives a list of them:Please; Please do; Sorry, what did you say; Go ahead; Sure; Here you are; Pardon; Not at all; You’re welcome; That’s all right.